Chesapeake+Bay+History

[|Chesapeake Bay History and Timeline] Also read the Chesapeake Bay books on the white bookcase for relevant information.

After reading and thinking about the history of the Chesapeake Bay, what are some of the most important events that have impacted the Bay and the animals, plants, and people who depend on it?

35 million yrs ago P meteor/comet hit area carved out 55 mile wide basin bay is roughly 190miles long, 35 miles across at it's widest point, average depth, 22 feet

3 thousand yrs ago glaciers melt into bay and give it water

1500's M native population reaches 24,000 European settlers come to region to grow tobacco caption John Smith begins exploration

1607 P establishment of Jamestown VA

1650's P colonists made businesses in ship masts and timber 24,000 native people remain

1700'S M colonists strip 20-30% of region massive period of soil erosion population exceeds 700,000

1800 P population reaches one million

1829 M 25 year Chesapeake and Delaware canal project got finished

1835 P half of the forest has been cleared for agriculture,timber and homes

1890 M Chesapeake bay waters become more populated

1918 P University of Maryland laboratory founded

1930 M Conowingo Dam is constructed

1964 P 17.4 mile bridge is constructed

1967 M Chesapeake Bay foundation is built

1980 P Chesapeake Bay comission founded